~tatt of W'tnnessee . ·:\ RILEY C. DARNELL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT Seortltary of Stale (815) 741-3158 EDWIN S. GLEAVES LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND State Librarian and Archivist AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED (815) 741-7998 (615) 741-3915 FAX m.epartm.ent llf ~tate PUBLIC SERVICES (615) 741-8471 (816) 741-2764 TDD Wennessu &tnte iLtbrnru .Ani~ .Arr4tues RESTORATION AND REPRODUCTION (815) 741·1549 4D3 &euent4 .Auenue Nort4 (815) 741-2997 Nas4uille, Wennessee 37243-D312 TECHNICAL SERVICES (615) 741-2561 TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION 1919-1987 RECORD GROUP 266 Processed by: Gregory G. Poole Archives/Manuscript Unit Technical Services Second Date Completed: 12 January 1999 Microfilm Only M.ICROFILMED The Department of Stale Is an equal opportunity, equal access, a"'rmatlve action employer. INTRODUCTION The Records contained in Record Group 266, Department of Conservation, span the period 1919-1987, although the bulk ofthe collection concentrates on the period 1940-1980. The record group consists of correspondence, photographs, scrapbooks, and subject files reflecting the many activities ofthe Department of Conservation. The records contained in this record group came to the Tennessee State Library and Archives through the State Records Center. The final disposition of these records was determined by the Records Disposition Authorization (RDA) process. In accordance with the RDA, all the material in Record Group 266 has been microfilmed and the originals were disposed ofby state approved method. Record Group 266 consists of approximately 25 cubic feet. Records removed and destroyed during processing were duplicate copies and routine office correspondence was sampled. Photographs were photocopied and originals were placed in the vault for permanent retention. Record Group 266 is a continuation of the records relating to the Department of Conservation. Researchers should also consult Record Group 19, Department of Conservation, 1937-1959, and Record Group 82, Conservation Photographic Collection, 1930-1955. SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE Record Group 266, Department ofConservation, spans the period 1919 through 1987, although the bulk of the collection is concentrated within the period 1940 through 1980. The collection consists of approximately 25 cubic feet of material. In accordance with the Records Disposition Authorization (RDA), the collection was microfilmed and the originals disposed ofby state approved method. The collection is composed of correspondence, photographs, scrapbooks, and subject files. The correspondence is general in nature, and includes the correspondence of several early commissioners. The correspondence, in keeping with original order, is filed alphabetically by sender or by topic, such as correspondence from the Division of Archaeology. There is almost no correspondence in the collection before 1949. Routine office correspondence, such as letters of request, have been sampled and the majority disposed of. The bulk of the collection consists of subject files. The subject files correspond to the various activities of the department, as well as federal programs relating to environmental issues. The most important single element in the subject files are the files relating to the creation and growth of the Tennessee state park system. The subject files are arranged alphabetically, and may include correspondence, handwritten notes, pamphlets, photographs, or other materials. All state publications were removed and deposited in the holdings of the State Library. Photocopies of photographs were placed in the subject files, while the originals are retained in the Tennessee State Library and Archives vault. Record Group 266 may be beneficial in tracing the history of the environmental movement in Tennessee. Especially important for the researcher will be the materials dealing with the Tennessee state parks. THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION The Department of Conservation was organized in 1937. The creation ofthe department represented an effort to integrate the activities of the various state administrative agencies which beforehand had dealt with the major subject matter areas within the field of natural resources conservation. At that time, the Division ofForestry was transferred to the Department of Conservation from the Department of Agriculture, and the Division of Geology from the Department of Education. The major programs of the Department were to: a) operate Tennessee's state parks and develop additional parks and recreational activities for the use and benefit of the general public; b) promote tourist visits to Tennessee through promotion and advertisement of its system of state parks and other recreational and amusement activities; c) survey and promote the development of the State's mineral resources and conduct geologic mapping; d) study the water resources of the State and administer a state water resources program; e) inspect all sleeping and eating establishments in Tennessee; f) educate Tennesseans concerning the State's resources; and g) administer federal strip mining and reclamation laws. The Conservation Commissioner, advised and assisted by the Conservation Commission, established the policies under which the departmental work programs were oriented. His primary administrative duty was that of coordinating the work of various services and divisions. The divisions under the direct supervision of the Commissioner included the: Division of Game and Fish Administrative Units and Services Budgets and Accounts Educational Service Division of State Parks and Recreation Division of State Information Division of Hotel and Restaurant Inspection Division of Forestry Division of Geology BOX 1 1. Correspondence-- ABC's Experimental Game Farm, 1949 2. Correspondence-- Anderson County, 1966 3. Correspondence-- Anderson County Conservation Board, 1970 4. Correspondence-- Archaeology, Division of, 1974 5. Correspondence-- Archaeology, Division of, 1975 6. Correspondence-- Attorney General's Office, 1953 7. Correspondence-- Attorney General's Office, 1967 8. Correspondence-- Benton County, 1966 9. Correspondence-- Burch, Lucius E., 1950 10. Correspondence-- Butler, Edwin, 1949 11. Correspondence-- Campbell County, 1966 12. Correspondence-- Clement, Frank G., 1963 13 . Correspondence-- Clement, Frank G., 1966 14. Correspondence-- Coffee County Conservation Board, 1970 15. Correspondence-- Comptroller ofthe Treasury, 1967 16. Correspondence-- Coordinator for Public Relations, 1967 17. Correspondence-- Cumberland County, 1965 18. Correspondence-- Davidson County, 1966 19. Correspondence-- Deer Refuges, 1949 20. Correspondence-- Dekalb County, 1966 21. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, 1965 22. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, 1966 23. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, 1967 24. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Architects and Engineers, 1967 25 . Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, 1967 26. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Alvin C. York, 1967 27. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Alvin C. York, 1967 28. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Bays Mountain, Sullivan County, 1967 29. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Bays Mountain, Sullivan County, 1970 30. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Bean Station, Grainger County, 1967 31. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Bean Station, Grainger County, 1968 32. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Bean Station, Grainger County, 1970 33 . Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Beersheba Springs, Grundy County, 1967 34. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Beersheba Springs, Grundy County, 1967 35. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Beersheba Springs, Grundy County, 1970 BOX 1 36. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Brown's Tavern, Hamilton County, 1967 37. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Brown's Tavern, Hamilton County, 1970 3 8. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Center Hill, Putnam and Dekalb Counties, 1967 39. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Chilhowee Reservoir, Blount County, 1967 40. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Fort Pillow, 1970 41 . Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Haw Ridge, Anderson County, 1967 42. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Horse Cove, Washington County, 1967 43 . Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Horseshoe Bend, Smith County, 1967 44. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Horseshoe Bend, Smith County, 1970 45. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Indian Mountain Park, Campbell County, 1970 46. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Laurel Lake, Blount County, 1965 47. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Laurel Lake, Blount County, 1970 48. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Lone Mountain, 1965 49. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Marrowbone Lake, Davidson County, 1967 50. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Moccasin Bend, Hamilton County, 1967 51. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Morgan State Forest, Morgan County, 1967 52. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Morrell's Mill, Giles County, 1967 53. Correspondence-- Developmental Planning, Future Parks, Mousetail Landing, Perry County, 1967